Over two dynamic days at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, scholars, practitioners, and community representatives came together for our Social and Environmental Impact Assessment Workshop. The event focused on the critical intersections of impact assessment, Indigenous rights, and energy transitions, offering rich perspectives from Norway, Canada, Chile, and beyond.
Day 1: Setting the Stage
The workshop opened with a warm welcome from Larry Ibrahim Mohammed and John McNeish, framing the discussions around how impact assessments can better serve Indigenous communities in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Svein Grotli Skogen (NVE) kicked off the morning with an overview of Norway’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system, emphasizing strong principles, stakeholder engagement, and the need to balance scientific and traditional knowledge, particularly in Indigenous territories affected by energy development.
From Canada, Bram Noble (University of Saskatchewan) highlighted how formal impact assessment processes often fall short of Indigenous expectations. His talk explored tensions around cumulative effects, meaningful engagement, and the risks and benefits of streamlining assessments for major energy projects.
Øyvind Ravna (UiT) then examined the legal dimensions of the green transition, drawing on Norway’s Fosen Case and international human rights law. He argued that protections such as proportionality and UN safeguards leave little room to override Indigenous cultural rights.
The morning concluded with a lively plenary discussion, probing the complexities of law, policy, and lived experience.
Afternoon Reflections
The afternoon sessions began with Kirsten Jenkins (University of Edinburgh), who spotlighted two key challenges in EIAs and justice: integrating socio-economic concerns into science-driven frameworks and addressing limitations in marine EIAs. Her example of a passing whale illustrated how fleeting phenomena raise critical questions about whose knowledge counts in environmental decision-making.
Cristián Flores (Humboldt University of Berlin) and Nicolás Silva Valenzuela (University of Edinburgh) turned the focus to Chile, exploring how global demand for critical minerals and renewable energy expansion increasingly encroaches on Indigenous territories. Their case studies revealed both challenges and opportunities for improving regulatory frameworks.
Larry Ibrahim Mohammed (UiT) closed the afternoon with insights from his PhD research on wind power projects in Norwegian Sápmi, highlighting tensions between EIAs, Sámi reindeer husbandry, and cultural heritage.
The day ended in Árdna, UiT’s Sámi cultural centre – a space rooted in tradition and symbolism, providing an inspiring setting for deep reflection.
Day 2: Indigenous-Led Approaches
The second day began with powerful contributions on Indigenous-led impact assessment. Anders Johansen Eira (Protect Sápmi) emphasized the urgent need for Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIA) in Sámi cultural landscapes. Unlike traditional EIAs, CIA captures combined effects of energy, tourism, mining, and forestry on reindeer migration routes across Sápmi.
Svein Morten Eilertsen (NIBIO) followed, sharing findings from a review of Norway’s impact assessment framework for reindeer husbandry. The revised methodology integrates traditional knowledge, involves herding districts, and focuses on cumulative effects – aiming for a more inclusive and culturally grounded approach.
A panel discussion and audience Q&A, moderated by Larry Ibrahim Mohammed, rounded off the morning.
Closing Reflections
The workshop concluded with a forward-looking session on defining a new toolkit for public participation. Participants reflected on lessons learned and brainstormed pathways to make impact assessments more democratic, responsive, and community-centered.
As a fitting finale, Siddharth Sareen treated us to a recital of The Development Set by Ross Coggins – a reminder of the human dimensions behind technical processes.
Key Takeaways
- Cumulative impacts matter: Traditional EIAs often overlook the combined effects of multiple developments on Indigenous landscapes.
- Indigenous-led methods are essential: Participatory approaches grounded in cultural knowledge can transform environmental governance.
- Legal safeguards are strong but complex: International and national frameworks offer protections, yet tensions persist in practice.
- Public participation needs rethinking: Moving toward inclusive, justice-oriented assessments is critical for sustainable energy transitions.